At their February 26 meeting, the Fayetteville Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the hiring of Tacuma Williams as the principal of John L Colbert Jr. High School. John L Colbert Middle School will become a junior high for the 2027-28 school year.
“I am excited to have Mr. Williams join our leadership team, “said superintendent Dr. John Mulford. “He is a proven school leader with a strong background in creating positive cultures and learning environments. We are confident he is the right choice to lead John L Colbert Junior High when it opens in 2027.”
Mr. Williams will join Fayetteville Public Schools on July 1, 2026, to begin the work of transitioning John L Colbert Middle School to a junior high school for the fall of 2027. He will spend the year getting to know the students and the Fayetteville culture.
"I am overjoyed to be joining the Fayetteville family as the first principal of John L Colbert Junior High School,” said Mr. Williams. “I want all of our students, support staff, teachers, and parents to work hard to be the best at everything they do, including the work it takes to get there, and have some fun along the way.”
Mr. Williams currently serves as the assistant principal at Bentonville West High School. He has also served as an assistant principal at Lincoln Jr. High in Bentonville and in Sheridan, CO. He was also a classroom teacher in Federal Way, WA.
He earned his bachelor of science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and his master’s degree from City University of Seattle, where he received the university’s Presidential Honor for graduating in the top of the class. Mr. Williams also retired as a captain from the United States Army.